Speaking on Saturday, April 18, during the daily press briefing on coronavirus situation in Kenya, Kagwe condemned those manning quarantine facilities to avoid frustrating any directive to contain the virus spread.

“I am aware that in the county of Mandera, and this has been confirmed to me by the governor, there are people who bribed their way out of quarantine. Both those who did that and those who let them off will face the full force of the law,” he said.

He implored those currently quarantined to behave responsibly by adhering to the laid down ministry's coronavirus control measures so as to help in flattening the infection curve

"We’re calling on our brothers and sisters in quarantine, to make a little sacrifice to be counted among those that helped keep COVID-19 at bay, than to be counted as the inconsiderate few who failed to appreciate the danger that this pandemic presents," he stressed.

Even though there had been claims of inhabitable conditions of certain centres and sheer lack of government support, the CS said the national response team was addressing each concern.

"The National Emergency Response Committee is fully appraised and is responding to the concerns of those in quarantine facilities. What we require is a little bit more patience, sacrifice and understanding from you, your families, friends and Kenyans at large," added.

During the presser, Kagwe confirmed 16 additional positive cases pushing Kenya's number to 262 with 12 deaths and 60 recoveries.

In terms of counties, Nairobi had the most cases totalling 73 % of the COVID-19 cases in the country, followed by Mombasa, Kilifi and Mandera in that order.